Some Thornlie residents have been left feeling exposed and have raised significant privacy concerns as the true scale of the pedestrian footbridge over the Thornlie to Cockburn train and freight line becomes apparent.
The footbridge is replacing the previous pedestrian street-level crossing and will serve as a safe passage between Elliot Place and Cameron Street, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to cross over the tracks once again.
With the ramp to the footbridge just metres from their back fence, local resident Margaret Murphy is concerned their privacy will be completely gone once the bridge is complete, and she believes she isn’t alone in her worries.
“We’ve been discussing it with neighbours at the moment, and like us, I don’t think a lot of them fully comprehended or were fully aware of its true size,” she said.
“We want our privacy back, which is not going to probably happen because it’s already installed, so we’re sort of looking at what solutions we can come up with.”
A spokesperson for METRONET said the project received considerable community support, and public consultation with locals will continue as it progresses.
“In 2020, local residents had the opportunity to comment on the design of the footbridge. Following this, privacy concerns were taken on board and addressed with 2.4-metre-high screens on the ramps,” they said.
“This is higher than the usual 1.6 metres and will block people being able to view into properties while using the footbridge.”
However, Ms Murphy said she is not confident the screens will effectively block the view into her yard and is requesting a community meeting with the METRONET team to discuss her concerns.
“They’re going to put, like, a security door mesh on the ramp, but at the end of the day, that can only block so much, and we’re still going to have to look at it,” she said.
“We really need to sit down and work out what’s going to be the best outcome for all of us.”
Early last year, METRONET reviewed the planned footbridge to assess its necessity. However, in response to questions in Parliament from Thornlie MP Chris Tallentire, Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti confirmed that the pedestrian crossing would indeed proceed as planned.
Mr. Tallentire believes that the benefits of the pedestrian bridge outweigh any negatives.
“Community members, especially those with properties adjoining the crossing area, were overwhelmingly supportive of the bridge project that removes the need for trains to sound their sirens at each crossing, including in the middle of the night.”
“With correctly angled louver side panels, it will be possible to ensure pedestrian bridge users can’t see into backyards.”
